How do I create a new plant from a "Backbulb"?

[starorchid12]

I recently replanted my oncidium and two bulbs came apart, can these "backbulbs be planted alone to crate new plants?

[janet_a]

do they have roots on them? stick 'em in medium and let them do their thing. i think the usual rule of thumb is to try and keep divisions to a minimum of four bulbs, but if something comes apart on its own, work with what you have.

let us know out they come out.

[mayres]

The answer to your question is yes, but don't expect to anything dramatic in short order - it takes a LONG time. Potentially you may get a new plant coming up from either or both sides. The pseudobulb will yellow and fade away and can then be removed. The remaining little orchid plant will take years to become a flower producing adult. I planted a gower ramsey backbulb last summer and it grew the initial start in 3-4 months. Now here nearly a year later it is still a tiny little plant about 1/2-3/4 inch tall. I will admit I have not probably carried it over in ideal conditions. I'm guessing that sphagnum moss would be a better medium for this than the fine bark I used. If nothing else, just for the experience of saying you have done it - it is worth the effort at least once. As noted - good luck and tell us how you did about a year from now! :-) mike

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

This is an ideal case for the use of sphag & bag. Use the search above. Use the word sphag or bag, but looks like it doesn't like both words in the search. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

mayres gave you the downside of growing backbulbs, but also if they came off by themselves, the plant may be discarding useless backbulbs, as opposed to your remiving healty backbulbs.

It may not be possible to accomplish anything. Give it a try but do not be disappointed if they shrivel and die, the plant may already killed them off and it is not your fault.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, I think I'll be a bit more scientific about the prospects. There are a number of reasons why a backbulb may not grow. Mostly it will be because the bulbs may not have any live eyes (bumps at the base that contain the undifferentiated primordial cells). This can happen because 1) the plant has used them all up in previous growth attemps, 2) the eyes have died from old age and general wear and tear, or 3) from high fungal activity at the pot level that have sort of burned off live tissue at the base of the plant which leaves a very black looking tissue all along the base of the plant/bulbs. I have seen many plants that had leaves and good roots grow old and die because they didn't have any live eyes. I think the 'living dead' would be a good description of these plants.

In addition, a few plants seem to lack the nescessary hormones to get the eyes going. In a few cases now, I have had some activity with eyes that were alive but refused to do anything after having been in a sphag & bag situation for a great many months by repeatedly dowsing with a near liqiud rooting hormone. It appears these hormones are good for more than just roots. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ